LAS CRUCES — New Mexico State will resume Conference USA play Thursday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium, hosting Western Kentucky as the Aggies begin a four-game stretch of midweek conference contests.
The game, slated for a 6 p.m. MT kickoff, is the second of five straight nationally televised appearances for NM State this season. Fans who cannot attend in person can watch on CBS Sports Network or follow on local radio.
How to follow Thursday's game
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Play-by-play: Justin Kutcher; Analyst: Ben DiNucci
- Radio (English): 99.5 FM KXPZ / TuneIn App — MJ Newsom, Cory Lucas
- Radio (Spanish): 96.7 FM La Equis — Darien Salayandia, Jose Aragon
- Live stats: NMStateSports.com/Stats
The matchup provides a quick turnaround for the Aggies (1-3, 0-0 CUSA) after last weekend’s 42-18 loss to the University of New Mexico in the 116th Rio Grande Rivalry, a game that drew 25,024 fans to Aggie Memorial Stadium. The Lobos established control early with a 14-0 first-quarter lead and extended that advantage in the third quarter after forcing a pair of turnovers.
NM State’s offense showed flashes late, when quarterback Adam Damante connected with Myles Libman for two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. But costly mistakes stalled the Aggies for much of the contest, and New Mexico scored on three consecutive possessions in the third quarter to pull away.
Who to watch: James Jones
Running back James Jones has been the lone consistent producer for NM State through the first four games. He leads the team with 355 rushing yards on 57 carries, averaging 88.8 yards per game. His 6.2 yards per carry rate is the second-best among Conference USA rushers and ranks 26th nationally among FBS players.
Jones has shown the ability to carry the offense in consecutive appearances: he recorded his second 100-yard rushing game of the season in the rivalry loss and accumulated 327 rushing yards on 46 carries over the preceding three games. Those numbers underline the offense’s dependence on his production as NM State seeks balance in conference play.
| Game | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| NM State vs. Western Kentucky | Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 — 6 p.m. MT | Aggie Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 28,853) |
Coach and staff have emphasized correcting the turnovers and improving third-down consistency as priorities heading into the conference slate. The Aggies will need cleaner ball security and better situational play to compete in a Conference USA that features several experienced offenses and physical front sevens.
Western Kentucky (1-2, 0-0 CUSA) arrives in Las Cruces looking to establish its own identity in league play. The Hilltoppers typically present multiple offensive threats and will test NM State’s defense at both the line of scrimmage and in the secondary. How the Aggie defense handles tempo and play-action concepts could determine the flow early.
Aggie fans should expect a midweek crowd and a different game-day feel than a traditional Saturday contest. The school’s stretch of four consecutive midweek conference games means shorter recovery windows, altered practice schedules and travel rhythms that coaching staffs must manage carefully.
For season-ticket holders and local supporters, Thursday’s game is an opportunity for a rebound performance and a chance for the team to regroup following the rivalry defeat. With national television exposure, NM State also has a platform to showcase its program and attract attention as the Aggies pursue a stronger run in Conference USA.
Expect coaches to emphasize fundamentals in the final practices this week — ball security, situational offense and defensive discipline — while leaning on the ground game that has kept the Aggies competitive so far. How successfully NM State executes those fundamentals will shape its early conference trajectory.
